About Second Chance Farm Sanctuary

Second Chance Farm Sanctuary is an animal-welfare nonprofit located in Ashby, Massachusetts. The sanctuary operates from the Leclerc family homestead, whose farming history dates to 1999. What began as a family farm developed over time around an increasingly important commitment to animal rescue and long-term care. Today, Second Chance Farm Sanctuary is recognized as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and provides refuge for more than 40 sanctuary family members.

Our Mission

Our purpose is to provide rescued farm animals with safety, care, rehabilitation, and a stable home. Animals can lose their homes for many reasons, including neglect, changing family circumstances, the death of a caregiver, abandonment, or other situations beyond their control. Once an animal arrives at the sanctuary, the responsibility extends beyond the initial rescue. Daily feeding, appropriate housing, pasture management, veterinary attention, and individualized care all become part of the commitment.

The animals who have found their way to the farm have brought many different histories with them. Public accounts from the sanctuary describe caring for animals with disabilities, animals recovering from neglect, and animals that simply needed a safe place after losing their previous home. Their circumstances may differ, but the principle behind their care is consistent: each animal deserves to be treated as an individual with particular physical and behavioral needs.

Our Farm

The sanctuary is also a working homestead where animal care, gardening, pasture management, and traditional handcrafting exist side by side. Farm practices described by Second Chance include rotational grazing, natural composting, vermiculture, and chemical-free growing methods. Herbs and flowers are cultivated on the property, while additional plant materials have traditionally been gathered from the farm’s surrounding woods.

This connection to the land is an important part of the sanctuary’s identity. Pastures provide space for animals, gardens provide plant material for handcrafted goods, and organic materials can be returned to the soil through composting. Rather than treating rescue, farming, and handcrafting as unrelated activities, the farm has developed them as interconnected parts of the same homestead.

1812 Apothecary

1812 Apothecary grew from the farm’s interest in herbs, historical research, gardening, and traditional preparations. Its range has included handcrafted soaps, skincare preparations, herbs, pottery, and historically inspired products. Many products are made in small batches, and farm-grown herbs and flowers are incorporated into a number of them.

The shop also serves a direct fundraising purpose. Second Chance Farm Sanctuary states that its proceeds are used for the animals’ veterinary expenses, hay, grain, emergency needs, and sanctuary improvements. In 2026, the organization specifically identified fencing improvements and a new horse barn among the projects supported through shop proceeds.

Our Commitment

Providing sanctuary means accepting responsibility for what happens after an animal is rescued. Some residents may need extensive medical attention. Some require accommodations for age or disability. Others need a peaceful environment and consistent care after experiencing instability.

Our work is therefore measured not simply by the number of rescues, but by the quality and continuity of the care provided afterward. Every bale of hay, veterinary appointment, repaired fence, clean shelter, managed pasture, and ordinary day of dependable care is part of that commitment. Second Chance Farm Sanctuary exists to make those ordinary days possible.